Spock entered his quarters and walked over to his computer.He sat down in his chair and noticed a computer generated cardsitting there. He picked up the card and looked it over. On thefront were the words "A Valentine Dinner" in a flowing font. Heopened it and inside it simply had the time, name and location ofa restaurant on the space station which the ship was presently inorbit around.

He considered the card and decided it could only be fromone person. The restaurant was well known to him. The thought ofit produced very fond memories. The communiqué he receivedearlier had said this person would be returning, possibly, beforehe finished his shift. Evidently that was the case and now hisheart beat just a little faster. Then he wondered about how thisperson had managed to get back on board the ship without beingnoticed. He could be a little sly when he needed to be. But, itwould have been easier than usual right now since over half theship's crew was coming and going at any given moment. They onlyhad 18 hours for this stop and just about everyone wanted to goto the station.

He set the card back down and moved to the bathroom. Hequickly showered and started to dress. He knew exactly what towear. He picked a dark shirt, the texture and the way it fit hisshoulders often caused enjoyment. He pulled out a pair of blackpants that were very well fitting and accented his waist, hipsand thighs, these two were a favorite.

He went to the dresser and picked up a bottle of cologne.He did not wear this as a general rule. But, when it came to aprivate rendez-vous the rules could be bent, possibly, totallydiscarded, for the right person. He dabbed a little on, justenough to blend with his own sent. This, he had been told, coulddrive one "nuts" and who was he to deprive others of "nuts". Hefinished dressing and headed out.

Spock stood in the front of the restaurant. He spoke to thehost briefly and started back through the room. He paused andlooked around. He heard his name and turned.

Kirk sat there with a huge smile, waving at Spock from asemi-circle private booth. As the Vulcan approached Kirk'sbreath was taken away. 'God, he's... god, so...' He couldn't findthe words. 'Oh, god, he has to know.' He took a deep breath andtried to slow his heart rate. "I see you got my note."

Spock nodded and sat down across from him. Kirk looked alittle flushed and he wondered if the captain was well. He saidnothing. He wasn't sure what would be appropriate. This was alittle unusual.

Kirk fingered the rose he held nervously. He picked up hisdrink and took a gulp. His hands were shaking a little. Silentlyhe commanded himself. 'Damn. Get a hold of yourself.' He drew adeep breath and slid around the booth so he was closer to Spock.

"I, uh, wanted to make this special. I really haven't donethis before with a fellow officer and I'm not sure exactly whatyou would like."

"Captain..."

"Jim please. It would make it easier if we went without theformal titles." Kirk flashed him that cute half smile.

Spock gracefully inclined his head and said "Very well,Jim. I do not..."

Kirk held up his hand. "Wait. I really want to just saywhat it is I have on my mind. I asked you here because I need theanswer to a question. Here this is for you." He held up the roseand the Vulcan's long fingers took it gently. Spock laid it downin font of himself keeping his fingers on it. Spock opened hismouth to say something and again the hand came up.

A waiter showed up carrying a drink for Spock thendisappeared again.

"I took the liberty of ordering you a drink. Look...I'vebeen trying to drop hints to you for a long time and I thought,at least a few times, you responded to those hints. I'm going outon a limb here cause I think you know where I'm coming from."Kirk slid a little closer. He was brushing up against Spock now.The Vulcan's sent reached his nose and the inside of his headspun. Kirk stretched one arm behind the dark figure. Spock tensedslightly and shifted his weight.

Kirk placed his other hand on the table next to Spock's."I'm just going to say it." He paused to draw yet another deepbreath.

"Jim, perhaps we..."

"No, I practiced this over and over. I need to say this.I.... I find that, as your captain, I have grown to respect youand admire you like no one else. You have qualities that areunique and... desirable. As a man, I find those desirablequalities a little hard to resist. All the times we've workedclose and the times we watched out for each other in dangeroussituations, the long nights on the bridge when it was our turn todo the late shift and the chess games. But, the times we workedout together were the hardest." He snorted a snicker. "All thattouching and tossing around. God, last week I almost threw myselfon you."

Kirk paused just long enough to grab his drink and swallowa gulp. "Spock I want the truth and I know you'll give it to me.I need to know if you think you could possibly go a littlefurther than just friendship with me? I won't push it and wecould take it slow. I know you don't think about relationships orprobably don't even need one. I'm not even sure if you ever thinkabout any of this kind of stuff. I'm willing to teach you aboutrelationships. Maybe you don't even know that two men can bepartners. That's OK. I'll show you what it's about. I promise tobe faithful and if there comes a time you decide to leave theship I'll go with you. I really think this is meant to be. Youdon't have to let your inexperience be a factor in yourdecision." Kirk took a breath and looked into those deep darkeyes. He couldn't tell what was going on behind them.

Spock cleared his throat. "Jim, I think we..."

"No, I want you to think about this for a moment. I'mgoing up to the bar and to the men's room. You think about this.I'll be back." Kirk scooted back around and got out of the seat.He disappeared across the room.

Spock sat there looking at the flower. He picked it upand turned it in his fingers. He suddenly felt a growing glow inhis mind and he dimmed it down. He looked out from the booth anda smiling face met his eyes.

The tall thin figure walked over to him and patted hisshoulder. "So slid over." He did. The lean form scootched close,pressing up against him and he felt that familiar warmth growinside. "This for me?" Skilled hands reached for the rose and thelong fingers of the Vulcan handed it over. "You're such a sweety.I have to admit I was hoping you'd make reservations here."

"Leonard, there is something I need to tell you." Spocklooked at the table and fingered the fork

The doctor looked at him. "What is it? Who's drink isthat? And why are you blocking me?" He tapped the side of Spock'shead.

"I'm not sure how to tell you this. Something... hashappened..."

Leonard was mentally knocking on the Vulcan's door. Aflash of someone handing Spock the rose. "It wasn't for me wasit? " A couple more flashes. But, not everything.

Spock shook his head.

"It was for you from someone else. This is 'our'restaurant!" He paused. "Being here wasn't your idea." He pausedagain, taking in what he saw. "Is that what you want?" Hurtflitted through his eyes and voice.

"I have what I want, Leonard. I came here because Ifound a note next to my computer. My thought was that you hadleft it. Your message to me during my shift was that you expectedto be back to the ship possibly before the end of my shift. I didnot come here for any other reason."

Leonard looked at him with a scowl. "Then why are youblocking me? You're not telling me everything. Who's drink isthat? You've never hidden anything from me. In all the time we'vebeen bonded you've never hidden 'anything' from me, why now?" Theirritation was growing as was the loudness of his voice.

"Bones, take it easy." The captain's voice came frombehind him, over his shoulder on the outside of the booth.Leonard looked up.

Kirk moved over and slid in on the other side. The doctorimmediately straightened in his seat. He smiled nervously at hiscommanding officer, setting the rose down he stood up wonderinghow much Kirk had heard. "Uh, I should be getting back to theship."

"Sit down, Bones. You were fine right where you were." Kirkdidn't look at Spock. His gaze fell across the room at nothing ashe spoke.

"I made the arrangements for you two as a littlepresent." Leonard sat back down. "I gave the rose to Spock so hecould give it to you when you arrived. You two are my bestfriends and I think you deserve a night out. I'm going to go backto the ship now. You two have a good time. Dinner's on me." Kirkstood and walked over to his CMO. Looking him in the eye Kirkadded. "Bones, you're a good man and you deserve all thehappiness you can get. You've got him, don't let go. HappyValentine's Day, guys." He patted Leonard's shoulder and walkedtoward the door without looking back.